Tusk tells Poland to beware burned bridges after failed objection to reelection bid

European Council president Donald Tusk issued a thinly veiled warning to the Polish government after it attempted to stop his re-election.

Although Mr Tusk insisted he would try and work fairly with the government in Warsaw, he also issued a warning. “I prepared my beloved quotation: be careful of the bridges you have burned, because once they have gone you can never cross again,” said Mr Tusk. “I want to dedicate this saying to all member states. But today especially to the Polish government.”

Mr Tusk was approved as European Council president, despite the objections of his home country of Poland. European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said that this move was entirely within the rules: “All the rules have been respected.”